Stalin's Russia 1924 - 1953Struggle for PowerIssue over the NEP split the party into right and left.Trotsky wanted the NEP gone because it created Kulaks and led to a lack ofgovernment control in the countryside.Bukharin wanted to keep it because it created alliances between workers and peasantsStalin didn't get involved so could keep supporters of both Trotsky and Bukharin.Trotsky vs. StalinTrotsky thought the party was becoming too bureaucratic, with a hierarchy. Hewanted permanent world revolutionStalin wanted a government totally dominated by communist party and socialism in onecountryThe TriumvirateStalin, Kinoviev and Zinoviev. They promoted the Cult of Lenin and criticised TrotskyThe DuumvirateKaminev and Zinoviev realised the threat of Stalin and left the Trimvirate to joinTrotsky, but were then disgraced as traitors to the communist party!Stalin then formed duumvirate with Bukharin.But Stalin became increasingly critical of the NEP in 1927 and blamed it for the grainprocurement crisis, so dropped the NEP in favour of collectivisation, agriculture andrapid growth in industry.Early Stages in Stalin's RiseRole of personalitiesTrotsky ­ had many enemies. He was described as arrogant by Lenin and had becomeisolated after his death. He was ill and had a lack of ambition to lead, as seen when hewas offered a government position and rejected it. He underestimated Stalin!Kaminev and Zinoviev ­ were politically naïve. They were too intellectual and engrossedin political debate, causing them to fail to see Stalin building up support.

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Bukharin ­ described as the "party sweetheart" as he was so nice. He was loyal toStalin and during Stalin's left turn he just gave up and resigned.Stalin ­ cunning, manipulative, ruthless, underestimated. This is seen in his exploitationof positions, such as GENSEK. He tapped phones, abused the ban on factions andcontolled who sat I meetings, building himself support.AgricultureUSSR was 50-`100 years behind and had to catch up in 10 years or be crushed.…read more

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Collectivisation of AgricultureGrain procurement crisis 1928 ­ food shortages so people hoarded it! Secret Police andsoldiers requisitioned grainPeople had to give up their land, homes and animals and get moved to collectivesPrivate ownership abolishedConsequences of CollectivisationPeople began to destroy things like animals and grain, rather than hand it over to thestateStalin blamed local officials!Many left collective farmsStalin's left turnStalin re-introduced Collectivisation and by 1934, 70% if all farms were collectives1930 Dizzy with Success…read more

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The Rural population fellStalin was arguably more interested in removing political enemies (kulaks)Neo NEP as a result of peasant opposition = compromise with capitalismSocial resultsFood Production disrupted, so was initially less grainPeasants could benefit from kitchen plotsState procurement of grain increased, regardless of the harvestContributed to rural famineEconomic ResultsMore efficient farming, arguablyExtra farmers involved in the cityUrban population doubledBut many agricultural workers still unskilled and using backward methodsShortage of peasant produce such…read more

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Shortage of grain which was needed for industrialisation (food and exports)NEP unpopular with left due to ideology and trying to achieve socialism in one coutryStalins personal ambition ­ left turn ­ outmanoeuvre Bukharin and end the triumviratePolitical reasons as would strengthen the communist party as they wold control all ofindustryNeed to develop industry before agriculture ­ machinery for modern farmingThe PlansThe First Five Year Plan 1928-1932Created and administrated by GosplanConcentrated on steel, iron, machines, tools, electricity…read more

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Diverted into amunitions3rd Five-year plan: (1938-1941)Different priorities as war with Germany was increasingly likelyMore consumer goods such as radios and carsProduced things to help the war- aircrafts, taks weapons and by 1940 1 third of thebudget on militaryOutput grew little due to purges which imprisoned or executed many workersHad a stable workforce ­ internal passports ­ prevent SOME flittingSuccesses of the PlansCreated new industries from scratch focusing on coal iron and steelCreated MAGNITOGORSK in the…read more

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Machines often broke down and people weren't trainedInefficiency ­ duplication and wastePoor planning by people who didn't understand the economy"Flitting" occuered where workers went from job to job to find better conditions. Thiswas illegal!Shortage of nails and bricks after collectivisation disrupted the peasant's livesEmphasis on show!Still largely relied on man powerTerror and PurgesThe First Purges, 1930­33 Including anybody who opposed industrialisation, and the kulaks who opposed collectivisation.…read more

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Ryutin challenged Stalin, and called for a `fresh start' calling Stalin the "gravediggerof the revolution". Stalin called for his immediate execution- the party successfullyargued against him and he was instead imprisoned for 10 years. He was eventuallyexecuted, but the Ryutin affair showed that Stalin didn't have full control- maybeexplaining why earlier purges concentrated on the party itself.Kirov (leader of Lennigrad Communist Party) was murdered, probably on prders ofStalin cause he got more votes.…read more

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Hundreds of thousands of party officials, army officers, and ordinary citizens werearrested, imprisoned, or shotLeading counter revolutionaries were publically tried in show trialsAll old Bolsheviks were removedThe Purges ­ ResultsClimate of fear created in the Soviet UnionPeople lived in constant fear of being denouncedDisruption to industry and economyRed Army greatly weakenedStalins grip on soviet state stronger than everThe Show TrialsShow trials OccurrencesFirst Trial 1936 ­ first trial (Trial of the Sixteen) was of…read more

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Act as a warning to others to not oppose StalinCreate a climate of fear so people obey StalinJustify the NKVD terrorProvide scapegoats for failiures in industryConfirm Stalins role as saviour for uncovering plots ­ cult of personalityResults of the Show TrialsConfirmed Stalin's leadership and his Policies ­ removing Old BolsheviksStalin was surrounded by "yes men"Rival authorities eg NKVD bosses, were controlled, strengthening Stalin's hold overparty and stateContributed to a climate of fear in which people…read more